Al Ahly is gearing up to face Ceramica Cleopatra tonight in a pivotal semifinal match of the Egyptian Super Cup. The game is scheduled to kick off at 8:00 PM Cairo time at the Mohammed bin Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi, UAE. Fans from both sides are eagerly anticipating this showdown as the teams vie for a coveted spot in the final.
Tournament Structure and Al Ahly’s Dominance
The Egyptian Super Cup has been a staple in the football calendar since 2001, with this year marking its 21st edition. Hosted in the UAE for the eighth time, the tournament brings together four top-tier teams:
- Al Ahly (Egyptian Premier League champions)
- Pyramids FC (Egypt Cup winners)
- Ceramica Cleopatra (League Cup winners)
- Zamalek (invited via a “Golden Card” by the organizing committee)
Al Ahly has a formidable record in this competition, having secured 14 titles out of 21 editions. Their previous victories in the UAE showcase their consistent performance:
| Year | Opponent | Score |
|---|---|---|
| 2015 | Zamalek | 3-2 |
| 2017 | Al Masry | 1-0 |
| 2021 | Zamalek | 2-0 |
| 2022 | Pyramids | 1-0 |
| 2023 | Modern Future | 4-2 |
This dominant presence underscores Al Ahly’s reputation as a powerhouse in Egyptian football.
Al Ahly’s Squad and Tactical Approach
Marcel Koller, the Swiss coach leading Al Ahly, has meticulously selected a 29-man squad for the tournament. Despite a largely fit team, Al Ahly will miss three key players due to injuries: Ali Maaloul, Karim Fouad, and Mohamed Hany. The squad includes:
- Goalkeepers: Mohamed El-Shenawy, Mostafa Shobeir, Hamza Alaa, Mostafa Makhlouf
- Defenders: Khaled Abdel-Fattah, Omar Kamal, Rami Rabia, Yasser Ibrahim, Ashraf Dari, Yehia Attiyat Allah, Karim Al-Dibis, Akram Tawfik
- Midfielders: Marwan Attia, Imam Ashour, Amr El-Solia, Mohamed Magdy Afsha, Ahmed Nabil Kouka, Karim Nedved, Percy Tau, Hussein El-Shahat, Taher Mohamed Taher
- Forwards: Mahmoud Kahraba, Sam Abou Ali, Mostafa Abou El-Kheir, Mohamed Abdullah, Samir Mohamed
Koller has emphasized the importance of focusing solely on the match against Ceramica Cleopatra, steering clear of thoughts about potential finals against Zamalek or Pyramids.
Ceramica Cleopatra’s Pursuit of Victory
Ceramica Cleopatra enters this semifinal with determination, aiming to clinch their first Super Cup title. This is their second consecutive appearance in the tournament, having narrowly missed the final last year by losing to Al Ahly in the dying minutes. In the third-place match, they drew 1-1 with Pyramids before succumbing 5-4 on penalties.
Head coach Ayman El-Ramadi is keen to overturn his team’s fortunes against Al Ahly, having lost all four previous encounters with the Red Devils. Relying on key players and the momentum from their League Cup triumph, Ceramica is set to challenge Al Ahly’s dominance.
Key Points:
- Previous Encounters: Ceramica has lost all four matches against Al Ahly.
- Recent Performance: Won the League Cup, their only major title.
- Coaching Strategy: Focused on breaking the losing streak and leveraging recent successes.
What’s at Stake
The winner of tonight’s match will advance to face the victor of the Pyramids vs. Zamalek semifinal in the final scheduled for Thursday, October 24. This final will determine the ultimate champion of the Egyptian Super Cup, setting the tone for the upcoming season.
